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Very Good

#769 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 31% in state

Montclair High School

High School · Montclair Public School District

100 CHESTNUT ST, Montclair, NJ 07042

Enrollment

1,961

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Montclair

#8 of 8

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#140 of 422

In district

#10 of 11

Montclair Public School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Montclair High School

Montclair High School serves 1,961 students in grades 9-12 in this vibrant Essex County community. With 145 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful classroom interactions. Academically, Montclair High School is working to strengthen student outcomes, with 46% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 26% in mathematics.

The school currently ranks #1775 out of 2475 New Jersey high schools, indicating significant room for academic growth as the community focuses on supporting student development. The school draws from an educated and affluent community where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $130,329. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 7.1% and median home values around $673,900 reflect a stable, well-resourced area that values education.

Despite the academic challenges, Montclair High School benefits from its location in a community with strong educational values and resources. The school's substantial enrollment of nearly 2,000 students provides opportunities for diverse programming and activities. Montclair High School sits in the heart of this large suburban community, where tree-lined streets and a commitment to public education create an environment focused on student growth and development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Montclair High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Math vs. State Avg-15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-18.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation20.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,659

Montclair High School — Students at Montclair High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.7%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 64.0%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
46%
2024
Math
51.8%
ELA
67.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.

How Montclair High School Compares

See how Montclair High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
145 teachers

Location

100 CHESTNUT ST, Montclair, NJ 07042

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Montclair High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Glen Ridge High School (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Glen Ridge), with a very similar rating. Another option is FUSION ACADEMY - MONTCLAIR (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Montclair, see our Montclair schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building Montclair 0.1 mi 8.3
MONTCLAIR COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Montclair 0.2 mi 7.2
THE MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY Montclair 0.3 mi 7.1
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL Montclair 0.5 mi 6.9
Edgemont Elementary School Montclair 0.5 mi 8.8
Watchung Elementary School Montclair 0.5 mi 7.7
FUSION ACADEMY - MONTCLAIR Montclair 0.7 mi 7.0
Hillside Elementary School Montclair 0.8 mi 8.8
Charles H. Bullock School Montclair 1.0 mi 8.8
Glenfield Middle School Montclair 1.2 mi 7.8
Forest Avenue School Glen Ridge 1.0 mi 5.1
Buzz Aldrin Middle School Upper Montclair 1.3 mi 7.0
ST CASSIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Upper Montclair 1.4 mi 7.0
Laning Avenue School Verona 1.2 mi 3.8
LACORDAIRE ACADEMY Upper Montclair 1.5 mi 8.1
Ridgewood Avenue School Glen Ridge 1.6 mi 8.6
Glen Ridge High School Glen Ridge 1.7 mi 7.2
Brookdale Avenue School Verona 1.3 mi 7.1
Nishuane Elementary School Montclair 1.7 mi 7.6
Central School Glen Ridge 1.7 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,083

Median Home Value

$733,100

Median Rent

$2,017/mo

Population

27,173

College Educated

67.1%

Homeownership

50.3%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Montclair High School has a median household income of $127,083. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $733,100, with a median rent of $2,017/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fort Lee High School Fort Lee, NJ 7.2
Freehold Borough High School Freehold, NJ 7.2
Howell High School Farmingdale, NJ 7.2
Piscataway Township High School Piscataway, NJ 7.2
Hillsborough High School Hillsborough, NJ 7.3
Marlboro High School Marlboro, NJ 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montclair High School

What grades does Montclair High School serve?

Montclair High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Montclair High School?

Montclair High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,961 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Montclair High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Montclair High School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Montclair High School rank in NJ?

Montclair High School is ranked #769 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Montclair High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Montclair High School has a composite rating of 7.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Montclair High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Montclair High School has 37.7% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Montclair High School a charter school?

No, Montclair High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Montclair High School a Title I school?

No, Montclair High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Montclair High School?

16.4% of students at Montclair High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
78 Very Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (954/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Montclair). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,961
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
145
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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